Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention: Screening, Assessment, and Intervention

A major mental health problem in the U.S. and a leading cause of death across age groups.

Suicide

Suicidality

All suicide-related behaviors and thoughts, including ideation, attempts, and planning.

Suicidal ideation

Thinking about and planning one's own death.

Parasuicide

voluntary, apparent attempt at suicide, in which the aim is not death..just hurting yourself

Lethality

The probability that a person will successfully complete suicide.

suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for what age group?

Top death cause for ages 10-34…children, adolescents, and young adults

suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for who?

adults ages 35-54 

Suicide rate peaks for adults when?

Middle age and again at age 75+.

risk factors for suicide?

• Physical

• Psychological

• Social

• Gender

• Sexuality

• Race and ethnicity

• Pandemic impact

Biologic risk factors

Depression, severe childhood trauma, genetic predisposition.

Psychological risk factors/theories

Hopelessness, cognitive distortions, emotional dysregulation, personality traits, interpersonal

Social risk factors

Social distress, suicide contagion, economic disadvantage.

Family response to suicide

• Devastating effects on families

• Increased risk for suicide death in another family if suicide death in a family occurs

• Survivors with increased grief, anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, self-blame, and family dysfunction

tx/nursing care for suicide prevention

• interdisciplinary treatment and recovery

• Priority care: psychiatric emergency

• Ensuring safety

priority care for suicide prevention

psychiatric emergency

• Initiate the least restrictive care possible

Case finding

part of assessment where you identify individuals at risk for suicide to initiate treatment.

Suicide risk assessment Includes

ideation, plan, severity of intent, and means

nursing interventions: Imminent risk (4)

• reconnect patient

• restore emotional stability and reduce suicidal behavior

• ensure safety

• inpatient safety precautions

nursing interventions…physical care

• Self-inflicted injury

• Medication management

• Electroconvulsive therapy

Psychological interventions

Challenge suicidal mindset, develop coping skills, commit to treatment.

Social interventions

Build support networks, reduce stigma, teach social skills.

Short-term outcomes

Maintain pts safety, avert suicide, mobilize resources.

Long-term outcomes

Continued psychiatric care, crisis management (pt and family), expanded support network.

Documentation essentials

• History, ADPIE

  • Presence or absence of suicidal thoughts, intent, plan, available means

  • drug, alcohol, prescription med use

what all do you need to document when suicidal pt takes prescription meds

level of pt judgment

• Prescribed medications, dosage, and number of pills dispensed

Nurse's reflection

Recognize emotional toll, seek support, model healthy coping.